Specialized Fat Boy....May 1st 2015.

Hi, Seadevil here with another raw review of a new rig....(well, used, but good as new).

Last year was a bad year for me and biking. No work, low self esteem, lacking confidence...but trying to keep my head above water.

I did try another type of bike...fixie, also riding clipped in and riding around like a lunatic whilst trying to avoid buses, lorries and worst of all....sheep !!!

I had a Wilier Pontevecchio, built an Aventon Cordoba, built a Dolan Pre Cursa, and purchased a mint Fuji Track pro (which will be sold next week). Messing with gear ratios and track chains and aero bars was fun for the duration, but still looking for that spark, that little element of biking which I was missing?

Take me back to the sweet basic days of the 80's, BMX's, huge stereos, breakdancing, and big hair....and me being a sexy 10st Andrew Ridgely from WHAM look-a-like lol (you young ones won't even know, as you weren't even born), and i would of been flying on a fixie, but now slowing up at twice the size, and 20st, but still happy to be plodding along with these old tired legs.

As I always seem to go off at a tangent, I do apologise....So from fixies I have started to take my photography more serious, and nearly give up biking for good winter 2014. I needed a fresh rush of energy, a spark, a fresh rig !!!

I did start looking with a basic budget at old-school rigs as there are a few sweet rigs I missed along the way....Trek Session 10, Balfa, Banshee Scream Mk2, and a Yeti 303 I always wanted to try....but trolling through the internet, and looking at blogs/reviews the fatty was mentioned.


The decision was made....look for a fatty. I found one off a good mate on pinkbike after looking at some basic reviews, and my mind couldn't get over the thought of how they could cram so much bike into a large type BMX frame?

After a visit to my local bike shop, I saw a row of hardcore downhill rigs, then in the middle, this huge thing that was so chunky, it made all the other rigs look like childrens bikes. I just knew I had to have one....no test rides, just go and get it !!

My fatty turned up, I could hardly believe it as just a few days before, I was only dreaming and drooling at one in the shop.

Putting her together carefully, then cleaning her up like a priceless piece of porcelain I could not stop smiling, I was taken back in awe....(you know what it's like to open a new rig). I knew I found my biking vibe again !!!


Looking at her I thought how am I going to pedal that thing ? Then remembered the reviews....just under 30lb without pedals (4lb lighter than my old Turner 29er) and happy to have gone from a 2009 29er to a 2014 monster rig.

Being a nice sunny day, I checked her over and away I went.....only around the village (I planned?).

First thing and first thought was...why the hell did I buy this thing !!!! She was sloppy and heavy to steer, luckily my arms are big trying to man handle 4.6in of monster wheel, and still taking into consideration, my thoughts on the internet review....135mm width qr up front, 190mm width rear axle, 80mm width rims on a 26in wheel? Who the hell invented this joke I thought?

Down through the park I rode, bouncing along with a sensation of 'making love whilst trying to balance yourself on a waterbed'....You need to get the rhythm right with the size of these bad boy tyres, and have arms like a bodybuilder on his last power lift !!

Up past the railway crossing, and uphill a short stretch to the canal. I did enjoy the 2x10 setup as my Turner was only setup for 9sp, so no excuses in the granny ring, I just had to push my weight up that hill, bike sweat and determination.

Soon as I got to the barrier, wheeled the fatty through, started to ride, and waw !!! What a difference as soon as you hit the springtime gravel, debri, broken twigs and fallen leaves, not forgetting the canal pot holes and tree roots working their way across the canal. Yes, it's only flat you may say, but I thought of trying her out first to see how she feels?

The first thing you notice is the lack of speed and triple the grip of even the best Maxxis and Schwalbe tyres, no matter what compound you run....these Specialize Ground Control tyres at 4.6in wide, are monsters !! I would be very suprised to fall off this through the singletrack of Cwmcarn based on the stabliity and control off the tyres, not forgetting the huge oversized carbon forks curved down to a 135mm qr axle....super stable and confidence inspired ride. Not saying a beginner would not fall off, but if you are an experienced rider, you could produce some style from one of these, and get used to it quite quickly.


Before I knew it, I was stopped by walkers/ramblers and anyone else who could hear me coming from 10 yards away, as the tyres sound like a 4x4 or swarm of bees flying above your head. Everyone wanted to know what it was, and what they are used for? After riding 5 miles from home through the enthusiastic and new ride, realised i had no tools, no spair tubes, no nothing? Turning back I returned back up the canal wondering if I made the right decision? It was more tyring I must admit, but the fun aspect and thought of no service costs to the front and rear shocks, as this bike has none was a godsend if you are on a budget, out of work, or strapped for cash. This has to be the most efficient bike to run at the moment.

10 miles by the time I got in, and checked the tyre pressure....lmao !!!! I was running about 4-5psi for the 10 mile ride. No wonder I found it a struggle !!!!
..........................................................................................................................................

DAY 2.

The morning after, I banged 18 psi in the tyres, they can go from 5-20psi max. Out I go....

720mm low rise bars, 50mm stem with 18psi in the tyres, and clipped in...this rig came into it's own. Now a totally different ride. Like going to powered steering in a car, but never ever going to turn as quick as a 2.5 tyre. Down the same track hitting the loose stuff along the canal, nearly going over the banking into a 60ft drop....the buzz was back !!! The sound of the tyres roar like a passing lorry and a swarm of bees, people move out the way before you even get close....that saves £1 on a bell. This is a real monster ride....



SUMMARY

How would I sum this bike up based on just 10 miles, and todays 5 miler...I would say this bike is not the fastest, but very comfortable to ride so far. You have options for better grip dropping the pressure, but there's enough grip even banged up to 18psi. The angles of the front fork/headset feels steeper than a downhill rig, this is more like a 29er to handle with extra control up front but a little heavier. The rear triangle is tight, and still quite quick through the trees with the shorter back end for switchbacks. The bottom bracket is wider than standard, around 122mm I think? So those of you who ride with your ankles inwards using clipless, you may clip your heels on the rear seat stays, or chainstays, so be aware of that.

I would be confident to take this to any trail centre and any degree of difficulty, I think it would perform well. The overall bike is just under 30lbs, so great value for the money, with only the top end speed sluggish due to the control of the bigger tyres. So, compromise? Wide tyres=less speed+more control, and confidence inspiring for new people. If you make a mistake, this don't ride around obstacles, it rides through them !!!

A great fun bike to own, but if speed is what you want, look elsewhere? This is just so different? Some will like, some will hate. Me being 47yrs old and experienced with various manufacturers over the years, I have tried everything...This is going to be my main commute bike over my old Turner Sultan 29er, but there would be nothing I would of got instead of a fatty? There is a market for them in the UK, our weather is varied to say the least, and this is not including the fact that fattys can ride through sand, snow and mud holes, where the average bike would not? She may not be the fastest on the flat, but I think she will perform differently when I take her up Cwmcarn soon on the downs. On hills she grips like a mountain goat, no slip out's like anything I have owned in the past. if you can demo one, give it a try, it may be just the bike to bring back your mojo ???

The bike in the picture will go through some changes this week....

Flat Nukeproof pedals
810mm low-rise Funn bars for greater stability
Blue rim tape
Thicker grips
Different seatpost/seat (maybe?)

All the best Pinkbikers, Happy Biking !!
Seadevil